Fastener for a lace

ABSTRACT

A fastener includes a pull unit having first and second pull-lace portions, and an intermediate part connected between the pull-lace portions. A tightening unit includes first and second lace holders connected pivotally to each other, and two clamps connected slidably and respectively to the lace holders. The first lace holder has two first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings, and two first pull-lace connectors connected to the first pull-lace portion. The second lace holder has two second rod sections, two hook portions extending respectively through the hook-connecting rings and fixed to the intermediate part, and two second pull-lace connectors connected to the second pull-lace portion. Each clamp has two ends attached slidably to the respective first or second rod sections such that each clamp divides a space between the first or second rod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 099119450,filed on Jun. 15, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fastener, and more particularly to afastener for a lace.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional fastener for a lace 4 having twodistal lace segments 41, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,980,includes a metal base 1, an anchoring member 102 connected to the metalbase 1, two clamp assemblies 2 connected respectively to two oppositesides of the metal base 1, and a pull unit 3 connected to the metal base1. Each clamp assembly 2 includes a lace holder 201 connected pivotallyto a respective side of the metal base 1, and a clamp 202 slidable onthe lace holder 201. The anchoring member 102 penetrates through thepull unit 3 to fix the same on the metal base 1. The pull unit 3 has twopull-lace portions 301 connected respectively to the lace holders 201 ofthe clamp assemblies 2. When the pull-lace portions 301 are pulled, theclamp assemblies 2 can pivot relative to the metal base 1, and theclamps 202 of the clamp assemblies 2 can slide on the lace holders 201of the respective clamp assemblies 2 to thereby permit loosening of thedistal lace segments 41.

Because the aforesaid fastener uses the metal base 1 to connect with thelace holders 201 of the clamp assemblies 2 and the anchoring member 102to fix the pull unit 3 to the metal base 1, the aforesaid fastenerincludes many components, which complicates assembly and increases itsmanufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastenerthat has simple components, that is easy to fabricate and assemble, andthat has low manufacturing costs.

According to this invention, a fastener for a lace having twospaced-apart lace segments comprises a pull unit and a tightening unit.The pull unit has opposite first and second pull-lace portions, and anintermediate part connected between the first and second pull-laceportions. The tightening unit is disposed below the pull unit, andincludes a first lace holder extending beneath the first pull-laceportion, a second lace holder connected pivotally to the first laceholder and extending beneath the second pull-lace portion, and first andsecond clamps connected slidably and respectively to the first andsecond lace holders. The first lace holder has two spaced-apart firstrod sections, two hook-connecting rings each connected to a respectiveone of the first rod sections, a first cross rod section opposite to thehook-connecting rings and transverse to the first rod sections, and twofirst pull-lace connectors each connected between the first cross rodsection and one of the first rod sections. The hook-connecting rings aredisposed beneath the intermediate part. The first pull-lace connectorsare connected to the first pull-lace portion. The second lace holder hastwo spaced-apart second rod sections, two hook portions each connectedto a respective one of the second rod sections, a second cross rodsection opposite to the hook portions and transverse to the second rodsections, and two second pull-lace connectors each connected between thesecond cross rod section and one of the second rod sections. The hookportions extend respectively through the hook-connecting rings and theintermediate part, and are fixed to the intermediate part. The secondpull-lace connectors are connected to the second pull-lace portion. Thefirst clamp has two ends attached respectively and slidably to the firstrod sections such that the first clamp divides a space between the firstrod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two oppositesides of the first clamp. The second clamp has two ends attachedrespectively and slidably to the second rod sections such that thesecond clamp divides a space between the second rod sections into a laceentry hole and a lace exit hole on two opposite sides of the secondclamp. The lace entry holes of the first and second clamps are adaptedto permit extension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in abottom-to-top direction, and the lace exit holes of the first and secondclamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segments respectivelytherethrough in a top-to-bottom direction.

The efficiency of the present invention resides in the fact that bypulling the first and second pull-lace portions, the first and secondlace holders can move therealong, so that each of the first and secondclamps can move relative to the respective one of the first and secondlace holders to thereby permit loosening of the respective lacesegments. Further, the components of the present invention are simple,and are easy to fabricate and assemble. Hence, the cost thereof can bereduced to a minimum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a conventional fastener;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fastener according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment in anassembled state;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment taken along lineIV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shoe incorporating the fastener of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating how two lacesegments can be loosened by pulling a pull unit;

FIG. 7 illustrates how first and second lace holders of the preferredembodiment can be interconnected; and

FIG. 8 illustrates interconnection of the first and second lace holdersand the pull unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The above-mentioned and other technical contents, features, and effectsof this invention will be clearly presented from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment in coordination with thereference drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, a fastener 100 according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention is adapted to be incorporated on ashoe 300 (see FIG. 5) having a shoelace 200. The shoelace 200 has ananchoring segment 210 strung on eyelet tabs 310 of the shoe 300, and twospaced-apart lace segments 220 each of which is connected to theanchoring segment 210 at one end. The fastener 100 includes a pull unit10, a tightening unit 20, a protective sleeve 30, and a retaining ring40. It should be noted herein that, except for FIG. 5, the fastener 100is magnified and drawn to scale in the accompanying drawings for thesake of clarity.

The pull unit 10 has opposite first and second pull-lace portions 12,13, and an intermediate part 11 connected between the first and secondpull-lace portions 12, 13. The pull unit 10 is formed by interconnectingtwo ends of a lace, after which a middle part of the lace intersects theinterconnected ends.

The tightening unit 20 includes a first lace holder 21 extending beneaththe first pull-lace portion 12, a second lace holder 22 connectedpivotally to the first lace holder 21 and extending beneath the secondpull-lace portion 13, and first and second clamps 23, 23′ connectedslidably and respectively to the first and second lace holders 21, 22.Each of the first and second lace holders 21, 22 is formed by bending aone-piece metal rod. The first lace holder 21 has two parallel andspaced-apart first rod sections 211, two hook-connecting rings 212 eachconnected to a respective first rod section 211, a first cross rodsection 213 opposite to the hook-connecting rings 212 and transverse tothe first rod sections 211, and two first pull-lace connectors 214 eachconnected between the first cross rod section 213 and one of the firstrod sections 211. The hook-connecting rings 212 lie substantially on aplane coplanar with the first rod sections 211 and the first cross rodsection 213, and lie below the intermediate part 11. Each firstpull-lace connector 214 is formed as a loop adjacent to a respective endof the first cross rod section 213, and penetrates through the firstpull-lace portion 12. In variations of the preferred embodiment, eachfirst pull-lace connector 214 may be fixed to the first pull-laceportion 12 by other methods such as adhesion, binding, or by using afastener. Alternatively, the first pull-lace portion 12 may be insertedinto each of the first pull-lace connectors 214.

The second lace holder 22 has two parallel and spaced-apart second rodsections 221, two hook portions 222 each connected to a respectivesecond rod section 221, a second cross rod section 223 opposite to thehook portions 222 and transverse to the second rod sections 221, and twosecond pull-lace connectors 229 each connected between the second crossrod section 223 and one of the second rod sections 221. The hookportions 222 extend respectively through the hook-connecting rings 212and the intermediate part 11, and are fixed to the intermediate part 11.Each hook portion 222 has an inverted-L shaped configuration, and has afirst hook segment 222′ connected transversely to a corresponding one ofthe second rod sections 221, and a second hook segment 222″ connectedtransversely to the first hook segment 222′ and extending from the firsthook segment 222′ toward the first hook segment 222′ of the other hookportion 222. The first hook segments 222′ of the hook portions 222extend respectively through the hook-connecting rings 212, and penetratethrough the intermediate part 11. The second hook segments 222″ of thehook portions 222 press a top face of the intermediate part 11. Eachsecond pull-lace connector 224 is formed as a loop adjacent to arespective end of the second cross rod section 223, and penetratesthrough the second pull-lace portion 13. In variations of the preferredembodiment, each second pull-lace connector 224 may be fixed to thesecond pull-lace portion 13 by other methods such as adhesion, binding,or by using a fastener. Alternatively, the second pull-lace portion 13may be inserted into each of the second pull-lace connectors 224.

The first clamp 23 has two ends attached respectively and slidably tothe first rod sections 211 such that the first clamp 23 divides a spacebetween the first rod sections 211 into a lace entry hole 215′ and alace exit hole 215″ on two opposite sides of the first clamp 23. Thelace entry hole 215′ is proximate to the hook-connecting rings 212,whereas the lace exit hole 215″ is proximate to the first cross rodsection 213.

The second clamp 23′ has two ends attached respectively and slidably tothe second rod sections 221 such that the second clamp 23′ divides aspace between the second rod sections 221 into a lace entry hole 225′and a lace exit hole 225″ on two opposite sides of the second clamp 23′.The lace entry hole 225′ is proximate to the hook portions 222, whereasthe lace exit hole 225″ is proximate to second cross rod section 223.

The protective sleeve 30 is sleeved around the second hook segments 222″of the hook portions 222.

The retaining ring 40 surrounds the intermediate part 11 of the pullunit 10, a junction of the first and second lace holders 21, 22, and theprotective sleeve 30.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, when it is desired to incorporate thefastener 100 on the shoe 300, each lace segment 220 is extended throughthe lace entry hole 215′, 225′ of the first or second clamp 23, 23′ in abottom-to-top direction, over the respective clamp 23, 23′, through thelace exit hole 215″, 225″ of the respective clamp 23, 23′ in atop-to-bottom direction, and out of the respective clamp 23, 23′. Thefirst and second pull-lace portions 12, 13 and the lace segments 220cooperate to form a double-bow configuration.

After a user's foot (not shown) is slipped into the shoe 300, the lacesegments 220 can be pulled apart from each other to tighten the shoe300. When the shoe 300 is tightened, the eyelet tabs 310 are forcedapart by the user's foot in the shoe 300, thereby applying tension onthe shoelace 200. At the same time, each of the first and second clamps23, 23′ is forced by a corresponding one of the lace segments 220 tomove toward the corresponding one of the first or second cross rodsection 213, 223 such that each lace segment 220 is clamped between theclamp 23, 23′ and the respective first or second cross rod section 213,223 for maintaining a tightened state of the shoe 300.

With reference to FIG. 6, when the first and second pull-lace portions12, 13 are pulled upward, through connections of the first and secondpull-lace connectors 214, 224 with the first and second pull-laceportions 12, 13 and the hook-connecting rings 212 with the hook portions222, the first and second lace holders 21, 22 are correspondinglypivoted upward. This results in moving each of the first and secondclamps 23, 23′ away from the respective ones of the first and secondcross rod sections 213, 223. That is, the first clamp 23 can move towardthe hook-connecting rings 212 along the first rod sections 211, and thesecond clamp 23′ can move toward the hook portions 222 along the secondrod sections 221, thereby releasing each lace segment 220 from beingclamped between the first or second clamp 23, 23′ and the respectivefirst or second cross rod section 213, 223. Hence, each lace segment 220is loosened, and can move from the lace exit hole 215″, 225″ toward thelace entry hole 215′, 225′.

Therefore, to loosen the lace segments 220 of the shoelace 200, thefirst and second pull-lace portions 12, 13 of the pull unit 10 arepulled upward to move the first and second lace holders 21, 22 upward,thereby releasing the first and second clamps 23, 23′ from pressingagainst the respective lace segments 220 of the shoelace 200.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, during assembly of the presentinvention, a thin metal rod is bent to form the first lace holder 21which has the first pull-lace connectors 214, the first cross rodsection 213, and the first rod sections 211. Before the hook-connectingrings 212 are formed, the ends of the first rod sections 211 oppositethe first pull-lace connectors 214 are straight. The first pull-laceportion 12 is then inserted into the first pull-lace connectors 214, andthe first clamp 23 is mounted slidably onto the straight ends of thefirst rod sections 211. The straight ends of the first rod sections 211are then bent to form the hook-connecting rings 212. Another thin metalrod is bent to form the second lace holder 22 which has the secondpull-lace connectors 224, the second cross rod section 223, and thesecond rod sections 221. Before the hook portions 222 are formed, theends of the second rod sections 221 opposite the second pull-laceconnectors 224 are straight. The second pull-lace portion 13 is theninserted into the second pull-lace connectors 224, and the second clamp23′ is mounted slidably onto the straight ends of the second rodsections 221. The straight ends of the second rod sections 221 are thenbent upward to form the hook portions 222. The intermediate part 11 ofthe pull unit 10 is first penetrated by the hook portions 222, which arethen each bent to form the first and second hook segments 222′, 222″, sothat the second hook segments 222″ of the hook portions 222 pressagainst the intermediate part 11. Subsequently, a curved shaped metalplate is used to surround the second rod sections 222″ of the hookportions 222 by bending two opposite ends of the curved shaped metalplate toward each other to form the protective sleeve 30. Finally, theretaining ring 40 is used to surround the intermediate part 11, ajunction of the first and second lace holders 21, 22, and the protectivesleeve 30, thereby completing the assembly of the present invention (seeFIGS. 3 and 4).

Hence, the pull unit 10, the tightening unit 20, the protective sleeve30, and the retaining ring 40 of the present invention have simplestructural configurations and are easy to fabricate and assemble,thereby minimizing production costs of the fastener 100. Further, eachof the first and second lace holders 21, 22 uses the pull-laceconnectors 214, 224 to directly connect with the pull-lace portions 12,13 of the pull unit 10, and uses the hook portions 222 to penetrate theintermediate part 11 of the pull unit 10, thereby interconnectingeffectively the pull unit 10 and the tightening unit 20.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included withinthe spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalentarrangements.

1. A fastener for a lace having two spaced-apart lace segments,comprising: a pull unit having opposite first and second pull-laceportions, and an intermediate part connected between said first andsecond pull-lace portions; and a tightening unit disposed below saidpull unit and including a first lace holder extending beneath said firstpull-lace portion, a second lace holder connected pivotally to saidfirst lace holder and extending beneath said second pull-lace portion,and first and second clamps connected slidably and respectively to saidfirst and second lace holders, said first lace holder having twospaced-apart first rod sections, two hook-connecting rings eachconnected to a respective one of said first rod sections, a first crossrod section opposite to said hook-connecting rings and transverse tosaid first rod sections, and two first pull-lace connectors eachconnected between said first cross rod section and one of said first rodsections, said hook-connecting rings being disposed beneath saidintermediate part, said first pull-lace connectors being connected tosaid first pull-lace portion, said second lace holder having twospaced-apart second rod sections, two hook portions each connected to arespective one of said second rod sections, a second cross rod sectionopposite to said hook portions and transverse to said second rodsections, and two second pull-lace connectors each connected betweensaid second cross rod section and one of said second rod sections, saidhook portions extending respectively through said hook-connecting ringsand said intermediate part and fixed to said intermediate part, saidsecond pull-lace connectors being connected to said second pull-laceportion, said first clamp having two ends attached respectively andslidably to said first rod sections such that said first clamp divides aspace between said first rod sections into a lace entry hole and a laceexit hole on two opposite sides of said first clamp, said second clamphaving two ends attached respectively and slidably to said second rodsections such that said second clamp divides a space between said secondrod sections into a lace entry hole and a lace exit hole on two oppositesides of said second clamp; wherein said lace entry holes of said firstand second clamps are adapted to permit extension of the lace segmentsrespectively therethrough in a bottom-to-top direction, and said laceexit holes of said first and second clamps are adapted to permitextension of the lace segments respectively therethrough in atop-to-bottom direction.
 2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein each ofsaid hook portions has an inverted L-shaped configuration, and has afirst hook segment connected transversely to a corresponding one of saidsecond rod sections, and a second hook segment connected transversely tosaid first hook segment and extending from said first hook segmenttoward said first hook segment of the other one of said hook portions,said first hook segments of said hook portions extending respectivelythrough said hook-connecting rings and penetrating through saidintermediate part, said second hook segments of said hook portionspressing a top face of said intermediate part.
 3. The fastener of claim2, further comprising a protective sleeve sleeved around said secondhook segments of said hook portions.
 4. The fastener of claim 3, whereineach of said first and second lace holders is formed by bending aone-piece metal rod, each of said first pull-lace connectors beingformed as a loop when extending toward said first cross rod section andpenetrating through said first pull-lace portion, each of said secondpull-lace connectors being formed as a loop when extending toward saidsecond cross rod section and penetrating through said second pull-laceportion.
 5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said hook-connecting ringslie substantially on a plane coplanar with said first rod sections andsaid first cross rod section, said hook-connecting rings lying belowsaid intermediate part.
 6. The fastener of claim 5, further comprising aretaining ring surrounding said intermediate part of said pull unit.